This week, you will begin thinking carefully about a possiblemethodology (qualitative or quantitative research) and research designto examine and address an educational research problem. Once youhave made your methodology selection, you will move a step deeper tosituate the proposed study appropriately by selecting a specificquantitative design or qualitative design (sometimes called a qualitativetradition or genre). You will also be required to provide a clear rationaleand justification for all your choices.
1. Use the following prompts to develop an essay:a. Start out by discussing your choice of the qualitative or
quantitative research methodology and how and why thisaligns with your problem, purpose and research questions.Explain and justify your choice of either a quantitative orqualitative methodology. Be sure to support your argumentfor the proposed study methodology with appropriatescholarly sources. (1 paragraph)
b. Describe and explain the 3-5 key features of the methodologyyou have selected (qualitative or quantitative). (1-2paragraphs)
c. Justify your choice of methodology. Explain why yourmethodology choice is best suited for your proposed study,and how this choice aligns with the purpose and researchquestions that you have created to accomplish the studygoals. Include a rationalization why another methodologywould not be appropriate. (1 paragraph)
d. Address the following: If you are using qualitativemethodology, explain how the four elements oftrustworthiness will be addressed. If you choose quantitativemethodology, explain how you plan to ensure that validity andreliability will be supported. (1-2 paragraphs)
e. Select one of the NCU alumni dissertations provided in theresources. Review the research design in Chapter 3. Provideyour critique:
i. Do you think this is an appropriate methodology andresearch design? Why or why not?
ii. What, if at all, may you have done differently inselecting a research methodology or design?Remember, in academia scholarly critique is welcomed,so we value your perspective.
iii. Be sure to state which dissertation you are referring to.(1 paragraph)
2. Select a specific research design and explain why this is the mostappropriate choice to address your research problem, purpose andresearch questions. Make sure that you consider all reasons forthis choice. Be sure to support your argument for the proposedresearch design with relevant scholarly sources.
a. Describe and explain the 3-5 key features of the researchdesign you have selected. (1-2 paragraphs)
b. Justify your choice of design. Explain why your design choiceis optimal for your proposed study, and how this choice alignswith the purpose and research questions that you havecreated to accomplish the study goals.
c. Explain one or two other possible research design optionswith reasons why these designs would not be as good a fit foryour proposed study as the option you have selected. (1paragraph)
d. Provide a closing statement in 1-2 paragraphs that explainshow the proposed study, based on the methodology andresearch design you have selected, may inform the field ofeducation or your specific discipline. This portion of theassignment feeds into the study's theoretical significance andthe potential contribution to the field's knowledge base, whichwill be refined more fully in the final weeks of the course. Asexplained right at the beginning of the syllabus, Ph.D.research has a focus on contribution to theory, so in thisprogram you will be conducting a study that contributes to the
broader discipline rather than a specific problem rooted in anapplied, professional practice.
3. Remember to incorporate your professor's Week 2 feedback whereyou explained the need for your study and made a case forexploring the research problem.
In this assignment, less is not more! While your writing must certainly befocused and concise, relevant details are important and necessary sothat your descriptions are not vague or insubstantial. Keep in mind that ifany other researcher were to consider replicating your study, they wouldneed to have a very clear understanding of your choices regardingmethodology and research design!
Throughout your discussion, as you explain your proposed researchmethodology and design, be sure to include references to appropriatescholarly literature. In addition to secondary sources, refer to seminalauthors and primary sources as necessary.
To address each component of this assignment, be sure to structureyour essay clearly using appropriate headings and subheadings. Reviewthe APA publication manual for guidance regarding use of headings andsub-headings.
Length: 4-6 pages, not including title and reference pages
References: Include a minimum of 6 scholarly resources
